Report: Giants’ Daniel Fells still hospitalized with MRSA, doctors fighting to save his foot

Earlier this past week, news came that the New York Giants had scrubbed their facilities because tight end Daniel Fells was discovered to be dealing with MRSA, a potentially fatal staph infection that is also contagious.

Initially, the news was that Fells was expected to be OK, but on Sunday morning, NFL Network reported that Fells’ situation is quite serious.

Citing sources, Ian Rapoport reported that Fells has had five surgeries, with more coming. Fells, 32, was moved to intensive care on Friday, and as of Saturday night, doctors were fighting to save his foot, which he is at risk of losing because of the infection.

Fells apparently developed the infection after receiving a cortisone shot; he had been dealing with a toe injury and then ankle injury. After a week of pain, Fells’ wife took him to the emergency room on Oct. 2 with a fever; his temperature was 104 degrees.

Doctors are hoping to save Fells’ foot, but the fear is that the MRSA, which is resistant to many antibiotics, may have gotten into his bone and that it could travel to his blood.

Giants spokesman Pat Hanlon said, “this is a serious situation that has been taken seriously from the beginning. We’re all fighting for Daniel.” General manager Jerry Reese and coach Tom Coughlin are among those who have visited Fells at the hospital.

Fells is in his second season with the Giants. He played in the first two games of this season, with six catches for 60 yards. This is his seventh NFL season; Fells began his career with the Rams in 2008, and has also played with the Broncos and Patriots.